Diagnostic value of abrams punch pleural biopsy in exudative pleural effusion

Objectives: to evaluate the role of abrams punch pleural biopsy in exudative pleural effusion. material and methods: the study was performed at the departments of pulmonology and pathology rehman medical institute (rmi),peshawar over a period of two years from july 2008 to june 2010. a total of 77 patients were evaluated with abrams punch pleural biopsy. three to five pleural biopsy fragments were taken from each case and sent for histopathological examination. results: out of 77 patients,histopathology examination revealed granulomatous inflammation in 31 (40.25%),malignancy in 23 (28.87%),empyema in 1 (1.29%),chronic non-specific inflammation in 14 (18.18%) and inadequate in 8 (10.38%) patients. procedure was well-tolerated and minimal complications were observed. conclusion: abrams pleural biopsy is a simple,efficient and safe procedure which is histologically diagnostic in 71.42% of the exudative pleural effusion.